Bachelor Mountain Trail #3420

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

This is a trail that offers a lot over a short distance and relatively little gain for a mountain summit. However, the drive up and limited parking seem to keep the crowds down, as perhaps does confusion with Mt Bachelor. You'll have excellent views of nearby Coffin Mountain and Jefferson to the east along with Three Fingered Jack, down to the Sisters, and up to Hood.

The trail is marked with only a sign post and clear dirt singletrack leading steeply to the northwest from the small parking area. Initially the trial is fairly steep, but well made and helped by a switchback. Shortly after the switchback the trail's grade will mellow out and exit the forest. For the next 2/3 of a mile you can expect nice views of Three Fingered Jack and the Sisters, but not yet Jefferson. At about a mile the trail will enter young recovering forest mixed with wildflowers through which you might catch a glimpse of Jefferson. After passing Bugaboo Ridge Trail #3423 at a signed intersection the forest gets briefly very dense with bowed and stunted trees. The forest will thin, opening views to the southeast back up, and pass an interesting rock spire made of horizontal columnar basalt. The final push up Bachelor consists of a few sun-exposed switchbacks on looser rock. The summit offers excellent views and evidence of the former fire tower.